Mr. Speaker, it is interesting how the Reform Party member turns away from the real point when the issue gets a little straightforward and a little tough to deal with.
Does the member feel it is important that some Canadians get taxed at lower rates than other Canadians? Does he feel that it is fair that somebody, and we are talking of low income Canadians, works and receives social benefits in Canada at $10,000? The Liberal Party believes that one should be taxed the same as somebody who worked outside Canada and comes into Canada.
I believe that taxation should be fair and equal for equal incomes. I believe that we should make certain that this issue is not an issue of inappropriate change. It is an issue of bringing fairness to the system where some folks are taxed at very close to the same rate as other Canadians.
We are not talking about low income or high income. Low income Canadians under this bill will be the ones who pay no tax. Middle income Canadians will pay less than they paid before. The point is that all Canadians should pay approximately the same tax rate. There is no question but that Reform members missed that.
I wonder if they go back to their constituents and say “I argued the point that if John had a job in the United States he pays less tax than you, my neighbour next door”. Are you telling your neighbours next door that? If you are, listen to their answers.
The Reform Party is saying it wishes to tax Canadians who work outside Canada at a lower rate than those who work in Canada. I think that is wrong.